Episode 2 Nitro Athletics: Usain Bolt Takes on the World

Hello and welcome back to Melbourne for round two of Nitro Athletics,

the bold new team event headlined by Usain Bolt and designed to bring a

whole new audience to the sport, which last week saw the start of

something a bit different. I knew Australia would come out and support

and I'm happy everybody is here and I'm excited to get started. Wow, the

best start possible in the Nitro series. She has taken off. What a

team and what a run. Australia upstaged the Bald All-Stars.

That is what Nitro is all about. Usain Bolt is of! It was awesome,

the crowd was great. Thank you, Australia. Usain Bolt's All-Stars

recovered from a slow start to finish ahead of Australia. The young

English team did not fare so welcome of suffering an injury to Bianca

Williams. Second place in the mixed death and medley relay proved to be

their best result but with points on offer in another 12 event there was

plenty to play for. A reminder of how it works. Six teams of 12 female

and 12 male athletes go head-to-head over three days of competition.

Traditional disciplines fit alongside more innovative events.

Points are awarded according to position with the emphasis on team

rather than individual performances. Bonus points are available in some

field events and each team can use a power play to double their points in

one nominated event. Places for the first two rounds go on to determine

seedings and lame tours in the grand final. Let us know what you thought

of it so far -- lane draws. But let's get over to the Australian

because to describe the action and Rob Clancy to draw the Li talk you

through There are individual men's and

women's 100 metres races, 110 hurdles for the men, dew seeded para

events and finally a mixed 4x100 relay, once again involving the

indomitable Usain Bolt. This is the mixed 4x400 metres relay and

Australia is using its power play. I am here with 400-metre legend

Christine Ohuruogu, and you're nervous. For yourself or the team?

It's weird because we have had a great build-up but we all agreed,

It's weird because we have had a the 400 metre lot that there is

nothing fun about it! No matter what the event, this event can make grown

adults cry! I am a bit nervous but it's fun. You know the pain is

coming! And what about Nitro as a whole, are you loving the team

environment? It's fantastic, we had a great time, we have been dancing

along and it is great to invite people into our world. People don't

get the chance to see this side of us so it's a great idea. What more

could you ask for? Time for you to get your game face on! Here we go.

The second night of Nitro is underway and Luke Stevens goes out

hard. This be strange to watch because three men and three women so

expect the bolt All-Stars to be at the back because Marinakou is a

long-distance runner. Cochrane of New Zealand is third supplement our

one, two, three you would expect Stevens do have a lead. I think it

helps Australia being drawn on the outside lane. He was able to use his

speed to get the fund. But Oseto is running a great leg. -- to the

front. A great performance and a bit of a surprise. Ishizuka gets it now

and it is Rubie for Australia. Ohuruogu goes now. It is Japan,

Australia, the All-Stars are a long way back but they come home with a

strong runner. In the back straight, no surprise that New Zealand go

past. This is Tom Moulai who is just 18 and he is leading by six or seven

metres from Anneliese Rubie who was in the Olympics in the 4x400 final

for Australia. She is a fine runner and she is getting a gap on Ishizuka

in third place. It will be a strange feeling for Rubie having a boy

flying past but she has held her form really well and she is passing

it over to Alex Hartmann at speed. The change was put a stop change.

Ohuruogu gives the bat over. Katherine Camp on the back straight,

she was 25 on Monday. Alex Hartmann has gone straight past her on the

back straight. Horii of Japan is in third place, a very good 400 metres

man and the All-Stars are still long way back but making up some ground.

Morgan Mitchell will go last for Australia but they have a very good

lead. Horii are trying to run down apartment but Japan has a female

athlete to go last, so does New Zealand.

They get to Morgan Mitchell and Morgan is away. Clement is about to

get it for the All-Stars but surely they are too far back. Australia

with a power play stemming them in the face and they are leading in the

back straight. Australia had definitely got the All-Stars under

control because Clement is only just having the bat on right now. Morgan

looks clear. The problem is the English team, Theo Campbell is

finishing strongly. Morgan is going to have a hold her form. Theo

Campbell is adopting the flight. She is lifting, they are cheering her

home. Keep going, Campbell is going to get her! England have got up and

come from nowhere. Over the line they go. Japan were third and China

were forth. So much fun. New Zealand fifth and then the All-Stars. They

are not good at the medley relay but don't worry. How good was that? What

an amazing finish is, did you think you could get her? I knew it was a

done deal, the team did a good job! We planned it and we knew it was

going to happen that way! We were a bit behind, but a good team effort.

And did you even lower case? I did! It is all fun! -- blow her a kiss. A

great start, well done. England takes the opening victory with a

thrilling finish in the mixed 4x400 relay but Australia take the lead in

the points standings after using their power play. Next up is the

60-metre sprint, men first and then women. The 60-metre sprint, Michael

Frater is one of the big stars and he will go for the bolt All-Stars --

bowled All-Stars. Fighter got a good start, Gao Ze is right up there and

a great dip! Confidence Lawson, this was close, England have come with a

rush. China and Jamaica and Japan. It changed in the last ten metres

and this is desperately close. Gashi had a better forward lean -- Gao Ze.

The English have started well. They have but Gao Ze has got it for

China. This is the women 60 metres. Branding is properly favourite. --

Prandini. Erin McBride is up para athlete. She has to run tonight

because England have run out of runners will stop Prandini made a

good start. She is clearly away. It is the All-Stars over China, Japan,

New Zealand, Australia and Erin McBride getting 40 points by going

to the line. Jenna Prandini's class carried her through. It is

sensational having you supporting the event, what does it mean to you

and how can it improve? It is a really important staging post for

athletics, we have got to challenge ourselves. We have not done enough

in past years to attract young people into the sport and we have

begun to pay a high price for that. What I love about this is that it is

fun and intimate, the athletes are interacting with the crowd,

particularly the young people. And we have challenged ourselves to do

something different. I challenged everybody and I'm so pleased that

Australia took it up and you do these things really well and thank

you. Next up it is the women's pole vault. This is Aoshima from the

national champion at four metres and a big clearance. They have three set

heights, 3.70, 3.80, and four metres. That was four metres which

is the third height in the order. This is Nina Kennedy for the

All-Stars. Just 19 years of age and Usain is on the sidelines watching

and she went clear at four metres. Those were the two athlete to go

clear at four metres and then they can pick their own height. This is

Aoshima, the 26-year-old national champion and she had selected 4.10

metres. Here she goes in a final attempt. Up, up and over! The rising

sun rises up and goes clear! That a great jump and it puts Nina Kennedy

under the pump, pushing her back into second place as things stand.

Nina Kennedy, former Acrobat, former world junior record holder, just 19

years of age. This is to tie for first place. She needs to go clear.

Training partner of Liz Parnov who is still to come. Right now she is

the energy Anna Kennedy is clear! That is a big clearance. Should she

have gone for 4.20 metres? I reckoned she had it in her and she

had been too conservative. The big man Usain Bolt said to be

conservative and I don't think that is her style. Come on, you say, you

need to fill your charges with joy and excitement! Look at that

celebration. That is a great jump. Nina Kennedy goes clear at 4.10

metres. She shouldn't have listened to Usain! Next up is Abigail Roberts

from England, this is at four metres having cleared 3.85 but she will

have to settle with that, the Sheffield competitor.

Australia can share the points here if Liz Parnov can go clear at 4.10

metres. In she comes... Up she goes but no!

Wow, that is problematic for the Australian team but good news for

the bold All-Stars who share the points with Japan. Are you with the

big man? I am with Usain Bolt and Nina Kennedy. What have you got to

say? I'm very proud, she came through. I was never worried! Can

you confirm you told her to take the conservative route and jump four

metres ten? We have to be smart! It is all about winning, as long as we

get the win. And we've got it. Are you happy you get the captain happy?

I am! Good points for the All-Stars. The bolt All-Stars and Japan are

joint winners of the women's pole vault. That result is enough to lift

Japan into third overall, ten points behind China. Australia still lead

the field. A third of the way through this

event, a three minute challenge for the men and then the women. Bolt

All-Stars lead. This looks to be pretty quick to me. This does look

like a genuine 800 metres race. Ramsden is a 6-foot four athlete, he

has got that long, leggy stride. He just knows the others have really

good leg speeds. He has stretched them out. Rimmer will not be liking

this pace. He will suffer a little bit of the backend. Are you happy

with where Luke is? Good work, Luke! I think he

stretched early. I reckon Ramsden is trying to run him off his feet so he

cannot kick. Buddy can't do that forever. Ramsden holds Matthews for

the moment. You can see the English team jeering -- cheering Rimmer on.

He has got to go. He goes. He moves alongside Ramsden. This has been

great running. This is tough, they get there and Ramsden just holds off

Matthews. Because of the 25-metre gap with

macro --s that's not because of the 25-metre gaps, the women come up.

She is a terrific relay runner. She made the African Championships last

year. You've got 200 metres! Let's go!

Let's go! Linden stretches it to a few metres. You feel she might be

the one. One last throw on the dice. We know England can come with a run.

Ten seconds, nine, eight... Australia are going to do it again.

Linden Hall. Just a great race. It is just brilliant. The host nation

takes out a thrilling three-minute distance challenge ahead of England

and Bolt All-Stars. Up next is the mixed two by 300 m relay.

Australia had a great result here on the opening night. Mitchell and

Stephen Sabac up again. -- Stevens are up again.

Has Stevens got one more big run in him? Taniguchi is 18 years old, the

Japanese runner. Stevens has to hang on. Williams quickly goes up and

take skill. Stevens accelerates. He is covering more ground. The Bolt

All-Stars added again. Stephen gives it to Morgan Mitchell. Margreitter

Dolly and Morgan Mitchell stretch away. -- .ca. She has gone hard and

early. Mitchell will be strong in the last 50. She ran in the relay

but was a reserve in Rio. England and Australia. Exactly as it was in

the first race tonight. Morgan Mitchell is going to win again! What

a performer. New Zealand finished third, then Japan.

A long gap to the Bolt All-Stars. What a fantastic finish. You just

set redemption. It must feel pretty good? You have no idea. I was pretty

gutted earlier. I wanted to come home hard. One more for a stroller,

let's keep going. Another Australian win in the two by three and a metre

relay. Tonight you're a little bit more

subdued, man. The first night you were out and about. What are you

arguing about? I was over there with my pole vaulter. You look serious! I

can't be happy when I'm losing! You have to believe in your team. I know

you don't. We are doing the maths. It's not really adding up. We are

taking our time. You can't talk too much if you're not sure you are

going to win. Now the women's long jump.

This is the 24-year-old from China. Third in the national championships.

A very good jumper. Around the 6.30 mark. Yes, 6.30 one. -- 6.3 one.

Quite tricky conditions. Here is my favourite, Kelsey Berryman. Close to

her personal best. 5.99 in their opening job. She has more speed on

the runway than a lot of her competitors. This is big. That looks

close to the 6.2 three. 6.29, a lifetime best.

The result keeps Australia in the lead from China are at the head of a

title chasing pack. Coming up next, the elimination

mile. A fast and frenetic four laps of the track were the pressure is on

every step of the way. Keep your eye on the back of the pack as well as

the front. We lose a runner every lap. If you are in last place at the

end of a lap, your race is over. Athletes will be eliminated after

laps one, two and three. And then the focus shifts to the final lap.

The remaining three athlete head to head, with the first across the line

taking 100 points. So the elimination mile. If you're

watching on Saturday night, you will know all about it. One unlucky

runner, the one at the back, drops out after the first lap, the same

for the second and third, until we get down to three. The top three

battle it out for 100 points. Or Keita is an 800-metre runner from

Japan. -- Akita. Heidi See will want to make sure she

is in the front. She has not got raped -- race fitness in her legs.

You just don't want to be at the back. She is in a great position.

She has fast athletes behind her. We can see the battle. The Bolt

All-Stars, do they drop out? I think they will. No, they won't! I think

Akita is the one to go. I think she actually got past Akita. There you

go. They say Japan is eliminated on the scoreboard. The thing is, she

was never going to get back onto that pathway. She made a fatal

error. We haven't seen anything like this before. They she is on the

bottom left-hand corner. She looks very upset. Incredible. She kept

running. With her strength, she probably would have got stronger.

These four will survive this lap. Are you pretty hot -- happy with

Heidi Sofer? Yes. She didn't have to worry too much on that lap. She

doesn't want to lose touch at the front it is at the end of the day it

is the first person who crosses the line at the end. She is doing really

well. She is in your group. How is she training? I think she is the

best person in this event tonight. She is fit, strong and she has

natural speed. Steve, let's go to Nathan. She has just rejoined the

race after missing that lap. That's not legal, is it? No. She should

have waited for the decision of the judges. She thought it was her who

had been eliminated but it was Japan. We have an official at the

100 metres to take you off the track if you are unsure. Nathan, they have

to get Bosque off the track because it will be chaos if they don't. She

has to go. This will completely change everything here. She

shouldn't be there. Thomas should survive. What should happen here,

Thomas, Heidi See should be left to go. Heidi See leads. Busk has been

eliminated. A great story for a Heidi See. For me, the Bolt

All-Stars will only get 50 points. It is hard to get your head around

it! It says that Heidi See is in great shape, which is fantastic for

Australian athletics. This is great. Look how beautiful she looks. She is

getting stronger as the laps come on. She will get going in the final

straight. This has been a great performance. Yes, Heidi! Let's go!

All the way. Heidi See coming through. She wins easily. Second

placing will be Thomas of Great Britain. And third will be the

Zealander. The microphone has been dropped by

the big guy. I looked at the screen and I was

like, or, God! Morgan Mitchell starring. She has been outstanding.

Now getting into the swing of it, the fun of it, as we come to the 100

metres from men and women. Jack Hale, the 18-year-old Australian,

Jarrion Lawson, an outstanding American.

J Cale got away pretty well. Lawson is slowest out. -- Jake Hale. Miller

is going to get through! J Cale back in sixth. The Bolt All-Stars really

struggling. Joseph Millar. What an effort. He looked great in the 150

the other night. Look I relaxed he is. Riley Day closest to us. Look at

this great crowd. Everybody waiting. Riley Day got a pretty good start.

Morrison away. Day is having a good run. Morrison goes to the front. It

is Morrison! Baguette 's second! At 16 years of age. -- day gets second.

A great run by Morrison. Riley Day was awesome.

Victories for New Zealand and the Bolt All-Stars in the 100 metres

sprints. The Kiwi 's move into second place overall, just 40 points

behind Australia, with England further back in third.

This is the 110 hurdles, the power play for Japan and it is a cracking

race. Gabriel Odujobi of England in the middle. This is such a line-up.

Power play for Japan. Not the best out from Wilson.

Merlino is a fair run. Wilson is struggling, Merlino getting back,

Xie gets through from Odujobi and maybe Wilson and Henry. No huge

surprise that Xie Wenjun has come through. What a great result for the

bold All-Stars, Justin Merlino faded away as well -- bolt All-Stars.

-- you can see the handicaps. O'Neill as the big start. Look how

far back terrace and Wallace are, surely they cannot get to Will

O'Neill. Reardon is taking some ground of him. O'Neill is hanging

on. He beats Reardon and Ikeda. Perris and Wallace could not get

there. Will O'Neill has done the double.

The staggered distance is not so far, just out to 12 metres.

Pardy from the outside and Isaac is next to her. McBride trying to come

back on Ayanbeku. This is going to be close. Pardy has had a good first

hundred. Grimaldi coming home hard and so is McBride. McBride and

Grimaldi are coming at Herbert is hanging on. Half a metre in front

and she didn't did but I think so. McBride did dip and it is close.

Grimaldi cannot quite get there. McBride dips. And England have got

it! McBride has been able to get her torso over the line in front of Ella

Pardy. The javelin and this is Hamish Peacock, his second throw in

the competition and he is leading with 76.30 metres from its first

throw. He has let this one rip and a puff of dust and it was dead

straight and that is 82.12 metres. That is a serious throw. They go for

bonus point in the final round with accuracy but 82.12 is finals in the

Olympics stuff. In the final round, that is the bonus distance which

start at about 60 metres and it goes out in a V neck

. That is in! It's in! That is the distance for Joseph Dunderdale. He

got the 15 bonus points. Look at that, it is right in the narrowest

spot. Very impressive. Liu from China, 75.02 so far. He was third in

the national championships and he can launch it close to 70 metres.

The crowd are hoping to see a target. I could scream and it is

close and it's in! It is long and accurate! 76.55, that it is best

throw so far and 15 bonus points. That is fantastic stuff. Another

Australian victory with Hamish Peacock taking the javelin from Liu

Qizhen. That strengthens the Australian lead with China in second

and England and Japan sharing third place. But Bolt's All-Stars are yet

to use their power play and with the 4x100 still could we could yet be in

for a photo finish. The elimination mile for the men, it

was chaotic in the Williams. So much is riding on the captain for

Australia. -- in the women's. Cornish is 28 tomorrow, Weir is

pretty experienced. Kipchirchir getting around gout and he will work

up quickly -- around Gao. He is at the front on the inside, Gregson,

and that was frustrating in Rio, we all wanted him to get out and get

that free run and uses great kick. I think this sort of risk will suit

him because he does have a vast kick at the back end. Kipchirchir has to

be careful here. They will hang on, the All-Stars but it is tight and

Weir is out. Ryan Gregson is leading. What's of tactics did Ryan

have? It looks like he is front running. He is not normally a front

runner but this is a different race of the elimination, and he will not

give up the lead easy. He will not let the back runners catch him. Go

on, Ryan! He will not give anyone too much of a chance. When we do our

sons, I think if Ryan wins we cannot lose to the Bolt All-Stars tonight

unless there is a disaster in the relay. We work it out, we have to

state 120 points in front. So far it looks good. Safe here because it

looks like Gareth Andrew is going to be off the back -- Gao Tongyou. Does

he usually listen to you? I don't think he is listening now! Gregson

is leading Kipchirchir, Cornish is in third place and then a long gap

to Kawamura. You make a lot of sense here because in awake and he doesn't

have to spend too much energy because he is pretty safe. And he

told me to let him know how safe he is because he doesn't want to blow

up. He has plenty of room. Plenty of room, you're safe! Keep this

control! Get ready for the last lap! It looks like it is going to come

down to the three at the front. I think the Japanese runner has fallen

off the back. Cornish is interesting, he will be stoked to

make it to the final lap because he has had a tough year with x-rays and

sicknesses so he is happy to be racing but it is between Gregson and

Kipchirchir who ran the three Nordtveit is earlier. Ryan is head

and shoulders above the field -- the 300 metres earlier. He comes in with

great confidence. And if I had Jen shouting at me, I would be running

faster! If Australia can win it, I think they will win the whole night.

Cornish will get the third place. This last 300 metres could determine

if the Australian teams win. Let's go, Ryan! Your fine! The last 150!

Let's go! And he does go, putting the foot down, look at this. The

first Australian to make an Olympic 1500 metres men's final in 40 years

in Rio and he is flying away and the Australians are going to get maximum

points. How good is this? I've got to get to the finish line! You had

better run quickly, young lady! The captain is flying and so is the

Australian team! The co-captains are about to get together. What a run!

Kipchirchir was second and Cornish was third. It has been a remarkable

night from the Australian team and so many of the young athletes have

been inspired by the veterans. Beautiful, lovely. Australia claims

another win but will it be enough to hold off the Bolt All-Stars who will

use their power play in the final event of the night and their

favourite, the 4x100 metre relay, featuring the man himself, Usain

Bolt. The main show is still to company will run the bend tonight.

Nobody has ever run a bend like him, world record-holder in the 200

metres as well as the 100 in those relays. It is all business for him.

He is getting the tape to tell him where he needs to take off. Because

we have females going into males and males going into females, those bits

of tape are important. We are about to conclude now. Day got away on the

outside and she has already had a spectacular start, branding is going

quick in the middle. Prandini has probably had the best and she gives

it to Powell. Look at Asafa Powell go, running down hail and also

Zhang. They are waiting, the Aussies are in trouble! We might be

disqualified! Bowled flying to Morrison who has to wait but he is

now await, the All-Stars are awake. Jenneke get it, I'm holding my

breath. China will be second, third will be England, Japan are in fourth

place and then New Zealand and Australia have made a mess of it.

Have we been disqualified? I'm not sure. We will have to wait and see.

Do Australia get 40 points which is what we need to win? Jack Hale is

about to pass the button to the Breeze Lapierre. He has no chance of

getting it -- Fabrice Lapierre. They are well outside the changeover box.

Not good. Back to you. Make, you have seen the replay, it is clear

that Australia ran out of the box which means you are victors the

night will Jess! Perseverance is the key! Push

hard and anything is possible! I said earlier, anything is possible

and we won. How do you always get it done, you were happy and then angry

and you got the job done? We have a good team and they pushed on and

tried their best and that is the key thing. You were quite confident they

ran out-of-the-box? I could see the yellow line. I have been doing track

and field for years, there Arter yellow lines, one at the start and

one at the end and it was clearly outside. We can see it here. That's

it out! It's over! Cancel Christmas! outside. We can see it here. That's

That is Fabrice Lapierre and he was keen to run against you. That is why

he went out to quick but I was too far ahead! I will get confirmation

to make sure you get the overall victory. That means you have a huge

lead going into Saturday night. We're winners, that's what we do, we

always win! It's an all-star team! Well done tonight, you got it done.

What a race and what a result. With the Bolt All-Stars taking the

bigotry in sensational circumstances -- the victory.

Thanks again to the post commentary team, let us know what you thought

of Nitro Athletics. Join us again tomorrow on BBC Two for a highlight

of the grand final. Next Saturday we will be live in Birmingham for the

indoor Grand Prix featuring Mo Farah and Laura Muir and if you can't wait

for that, there is more on BBC right now on the BBC sport website all

weekend. This afternoon we have live Rugby union as Wales host England in

the Six Nations. That is it, join us for the grand final tomorrow. Until

then, goodbye.